Flight Science Crash(ing) Course

Please note that the Science Centre exhibitions will be closed on all Mondays except school and public holidays. Lab lessons for schools will continue as per normal on closure days. We thank you for your understanding.

Do you find flying things fascinating? Are you amazed by airplanes, drones and helicopters? Do you want to know how they work and what makes them fly? With help from Kerbal Space Program, flight science is made easy for you! Not only it is easy, it is also hilarious! In this workshop, you will design and build your own aircraft, and then test fly them to see how they actually perform!

Objectives:1. Describe the ways in which forces may change the motion of an aircraft (thrust, lift, drag, weight)2. Describe how lift is produced in terms of action-reaction force pairs 3. Show understanding that the weight of an airplane may be taken as acting at a single point known as its centre of gravity4. Explain the effects of friction (air resistance) to the motion of an aircraft5. Design, build and safely land an aircraft6. Complete an aircraft design challenge (optional)